Texas Department of Insurance Product Evaluation Page Primer and Link

Understanding the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Product Evaluations Page

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Product Evaluations Page is an official public resource designed to help builders, contractors, inspectors, engineers, product manufacturers, and homeowners verify whether certain building products comply with TDI’s windstorm building code requirements. This page is a key part of TDI’s Windstorm Inspection Program, which oversees construction standards in areas of Texas that are prone to hurricanes and high-wind events, particularly along the Gulf Coast.

You can visit the page directly here:

https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wwind/prod/index.html

What the Product Evaluations Page Is Used For

The primary purpose of the TDI Product Evaluations Page is to provide a centralized list of building products that have been evaluated to verify that they meet required wind-resistance standards. These standards are based on design pressures and structural performance requirements found in building codes such as the International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC), as modified by TDI for coastal construction.

In Texas’s designated catastrophe areas, building components must be shown to resist the strong wind pressures that occur during hurricanes and severe storms. Product evaluations help confirm that a product—such as a window, roof covering, door, siding, or shutter—has undergone proper testing and is capable of withstanding those forces when installed correctly.

Builders and inspectors rely on these evaluations during construction or renovation projects to ensure compliance. Homeowners and buyers use them to verify that the materials used on their homes meet the safety and durability benchmarks needed for insurance eligibility, including through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).

Types of Information Found on the Page

The TDI Product Evaluations Page includes several categories of content:

1. Lists of Evaluated Products
   The page organizes building components into categories—such as doors, windows, garage doors, skylights, roof coverings, and more—so users can search for the specific type of product they need. For each category, TDI provides either a TDI-issued evaluation report or a link to a third-party evaluation.
2. TDI-Developed Evaluation Reports
   These reports are prepared by TDI after reviewing submitted testing documentation from manufacturers or accredited labs. The reports outline important information such as approved design pressures, installation requirements, materials, and system configurations. They also specify the exact conditions under which the product was tested.
3. Third-Party Evaluation Reports
   When products have existing evaluations from accredited third-party agencies, TDI may link to these external reports. These links are for informational purposes only, and TDI notes that such links do not constitute endorsements. Still, they provide valuable data for consumers and professionals.
4. Product Submittal Requirements
   Manufacturers who want their products evaluated can find detailed instructions on submitting testing documentation, engineering reports, and product specifications. These requirements ensure that all evaluated products meet consistent testing and documentation standards.
5. Current vs. Removed or Expired Reports
   The page also includes notes indicating that outdated or obsolete reports have been removed. This helps ensure that only current and valid evaluations are relied upon during construction or inspection.

Important Things to Know

Although the Product Evaluations Page is a crucial tool for determining code compliance, there are limitations and conditions users should understand:

• Not all products are automatically approved for every structure.
  An evaluation report indicates how a product performs under specific tested conditions. If the real-world installation differs from those conditions—such as different fasteners or substrates—the wind resistance may not match the rated performance.
• Installation matters.
  Even the best-rated product must be installed exactly as tested in order to perform properly. If installation varies, additional engineering analysis may be required.
• Third-party reports are informational, not endorsements.
  While TDI may link to external evaluation reports, these links are simply a convenience for users.
• Some products may not be listed.
  If a product is not listed, TDI recommends contacting the manufacturer to request test data or an engineering evaluation.

Why This Page Matters

For homeowners and property owners in Texas’s coastal regions, the TDI Product Evaluations Page is essential for understanding whether the components used on their homes can withstand hurricane-strength winds. Using approved products helps ensure safety, protect property, comply with state regulations, and maintain eligibility for windstorm insurance coverage.

For builders, engineers, and inspectors, the page offers quick access to technical data needed to verify compliance and complete construction projects correctly.

For manufacturers, having products listed provides transparency and demonstrates that their materials meet stringent state standards.

How to Use the Page

1. Visit the TDI Product Evaluations Page: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wind/prod/index.html
2. Select the product category you are researching.
3. Open the evaluation report to review its design pressure, testing conditions, and installation requirements.
4. Confirm that the report applies to your project’s specific construction conditions.
5. If you cannot find a needed product, contact the manufacturer for testing documentation or evaluation assistance.

If you need help or have questions about a particular product evaluation, TDI recommends emailing their engineering group at: engineering@tdi.texas.gov